Should Christians listen to "secular" music?

ChickenSoup said:
I had to get rid of 3 of his songs because they were rather... not... appropriate... kinda. I laugh at his songs a bit, but I discover that I can more easily "jam" to songs praising God because I feel more comfortable with cleaner lyrics.

This is my main point. How can Chrisitians listen to "secular" music that does not pass the Phillipians 4:8 scrutiny. Obviously some of Wierd Al's stuff didn't. Which is why you decided to get rid of them. :)


Is my question making a bit more sense now?
 
I have been struggling with this topic for a while, now. I gave up 'secular' music 4 1/2 years ago. I decided I would try it for a week, and never went back. I then tried to decide that if I would only listen to 'Christian' music, what about movies, video games, etc.? What defines something as 'Christian'? There are a lot of questions (most of which were brought up here). I agree, it's a personal conviction. But there is a lot of secular music that is good and a lot that shouldn't be listened to by anyone.

There was a great article that got this debate going between a co-worker and I. If you get a chance, read the interview by Thrice's lead singer in the latest 'Relevant' magazine. They're a 'secular' band, but he himself is Christian. A lot of his lyrics are positive (though I really haven't listened to them much to know for sure, but my co-worker listens to them) and reflect his beliefs without coming out and saying 'Jesus' or 'God'. He's one who sings what he feels, and reflects Christ in his living, not just words. But in his interview, he gave an example of the question of definining 'Christian' music. He was at his church, when a man came and gave his list of 'Christian' bands that were alternative to the 'secular' music that we shouldn't be listening to. One of those 'secular' bands was Thrice! You can bet how this guy felt when he was being preached to about how his own band was something you shouldn't listen to.

That article really made me think. There is a lot of positive stuff out there in 'secular' music. The problem is finding it. Everytime I turn it over to a 'secular' radio station or MTV, it's nothing but sex, dirty language, and the like. I don't want to sit through all that just to her the occasional positive song. I've felt really convicted to listen to nothing but Christian music. However, I did listen to the new Mase CD because he was trying to be open about his faith (thought now that seems to be changing, soon).

And no one can say that there is no good Christian music. They just haven't found it, yet. There are very few good radio stations out there. I'm stuck with K-LOVE and AIR-1. Both are terrible. I do appreciate Air1, since they got me through those beginning months of getting rid of 'secular' music. But I soon realized that there is much better music out there. The reason I chose to do this in the first place was because a teenager at a youth conference said there was no good Christian music (all he had listened to was Carmen...which IS terrible). Someone gave him a list of artists and told him to give them a try for a week. I decided to do it as well. I know that everyone has different tastes (TobyMac is the bomb! You can't say you like Jesus Freak and not like TobyMac...that was TobyMac), but there is a great variety of Christian music out there. I've pretty much stuck to listening to RadioU (www.radiou.com) or now WAYK/WAYG FM out of Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids, MI (www.way.fm, not to be confused with way-fm.com which isn't as good). They both play a lot of rock, hip-hop, etc. that is what I like and a lot of it is better than the 'secular' music out there. I then use that to get the idea of what music I want to purchase and put it on my mp3 player. I then just hit 'play any track' and have 2000+ songs playing in my car...so I don't have to turn it over to the radio. Take a listen to those for a while (way.fm plays a variety of music, but a lot of good stuff I haven't heard elsewhere...whereas RadioU is mostly just rock/hip-hop) and see what you find.
 
you also have to be careful putting all your trust in a singer just because they say they are a christian band. i cant tell you how many times ive turned to the christian t.v. station while flipping channels, saw a music video and thought i had wandered to mtv because the way the girls were dressed....
 
There are some things to consider if we as Christians are to truly make good judgment on this issue (most of which has already been covered)...

Music does influence people. Whether they realize it or not, whether they believe it or not. Music has an impact. That is why advertising jingles exist; because advertisers know that music moves peoples' minds and hearts and influences thought.

The word music comes from the word muse, and the dictionary defines "muse" as.

To be absorbed in one's thoughts; engage in meditation.
A guiding spirit.
A source of inspiration.

A guiding spirit. So the question we must ask ourselves is: what "spirit" is in the music we listen to? What tone does the music set, what activities or ideas does it promote?

This begs the question: Why would we willingly subject ourselves to unclean thoughts and ideas solely for pleasure? Could not one make the same case for pornography?

"I know that looking at nudity may not be Christian, but I like it better than seeing clothed people".

Now that may be an overly simplistic example but I trust that my point is clear.
And no, I am not saying that all secular music is evil. However I think we can all agree that a larger percentage of it is than is not.

In the end you have to listen to the lyrics and pray about it earnestly to receive your own answer from the Holy Spirit, I am just providing points to think about.

Remember this verse:

All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. (1 Corinthians 10:23)
 
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counrty music on the other hand....... Gen

Oh, don't even go there! :p
that's really just about all i listen to... in fact, it isn't about the words in the song, i like the music. as long as i have something in my head, i'm totally content =D

for example, most songs other people listen to with bad words... -.- i just blank the words out and listen to the music... then complain that the language was wretched =D
 
I made a choice to listen to almost exclusively Christian music a while ago. My opinion is just because it's not "bad" or even if it's "positive" I'd just rather not listen to it if it's not glorifying God in some way. Just because something is "good" does not make it "Godly." If you choose to listen to a secular radio station, there is a good posibilty there will be non-Christian songs played. Even if you don't "listen" to it. You are still putting that stuff in your head. The brain has a great way of getting information without us choosing to remember it.
 
Before I was born again I listened to a lot of satanic music.. eg;Zepplin, Jopplin, Hendrix, Sabbath, ect.. I still got the CD's cuz I dun even want to GIVE them away! :lol:

But God has been a faithful witness to me in this regard (in all regrds, but since we're on this subject I mention this one-LOL)

He often changes lyrics of songs that come at me from the world.. Always witnessing of the Life of Jesus to me! haha

Either that or He empasises the truths revelaed underneath the lyrics.

I recieve ALL things as from God, so that He in turn may be my all in all :)
 
Was it the music that was satanic or the lyrics? Also, what if someone took that same music and changed the lyrics? Would it still be satanic?
 
It was both the lyrics and the tempo..

When God speaks He speaks in perfectly and in perfect tempo..

Speaking perfectly to the people of Isreal
Deuteronomy 4:12
Then the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice.

Dueteronomy 4:33
Has any other people heard the voice of God speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived?

Dueteronomy 5:24-26
24 And you said, "The LORD our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him.25 But now, why should we die? This great fire will consume us, and we will die if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any longer. 26 For what mortal man has ever heard the voice of the living God speaking out of fire, as we have, and survived?


Deuteronomy 4:36
From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire.

Speaking in perfect timing
Hebrews 1:2
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.


Hebrews 12
18You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." 21The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."
22But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." 27The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29for our "God is a consuming fire."

Speaking in perfect tempo
1 Kings 19:12
And after the earthquake a fire;
but the LORD was not in the fire:
and after the fire a still small voice.

Job 4:15-17
15 A spirit glided past my face,
and the hair on my body stood on end.
16 It stopped,
but I could not tell what it was.
A form stood before my eyes,
and I heard a hushed voice:
17 'Can a mortal be more righteous than God?
Can a man be more pure than his Maker?

Job 37:3-5
3 He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven
and sends it to the ends of the earth.
4 After that comes the sound of his roar;
he thunders with his majestic voice.
When his voice resounds,
he holds nothing back.
5 God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.

Music is MEANT to Glorify God.. God is musical
2 Chronicles 5:13
The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: "He is good; his love endures forever." Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud,

Psalm 95:2
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

Psalm 144:9
I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,

Music is a Ministry
1 Chronicles 6:32
They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them.

Revelation 14
The Lamb and the 144,000
1Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

But truly.. In Christ we are free!
For if the Son sets you free you are free indeed!
If you appreciate music that is not labelled as Christian, so long as God doesn't call you on it, who is anyone to say otherwise! :)

Enjoy! And do sing to the Lord! :D

I will celebrate! Sing unto the Lord! Sing unto the Lord a new song!
 
Before I was born again I listened to a lot of satanic music.. eg;Zepplin, Jopplin, Hendrix, Sabbath, ect.. I still got the CD's cuz I dun even want to GIVE them away! :lol:

I recommend the MD-100 Media Destroyer ($75 USD). It can shred whole CD's, floppy disks, credit cards and other hard materials as well as paper.
Seriously if not for this device I would be buried under a mountain of CD's right now. :D
 
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